The Infinity Gate: Darkglass Mountain: Book Three - By Sara Douglass Page 0,79

was not something my brothers and sisters could do previously.”

“If the Skraelings are still in league with the One by the time we get to the citadel,” Axis said, “we are going to be in deadly trouble. From what you tell me, it sounds very much as if they are herding you into a trap.”

Now it was Isaiah who winced. “Perhaps we will all have clearer wits by morning. Axis, how is your shoulder?”

“Well enough,” Axis said. “The shepherd cleaned and stitched it tidily. I am grateful.” He nodded toward the second fire, where sat Isaiah’s men and the three shepherds. “The Outlanders are good men.”

“Indeed,” said Isaiah. He rose and moved over to Inardle. He might as well have a look at her wounds, if only to say that he had tried. With the way she looked now, he didn’t expect her to be alive by morning.

He squatted beside the Lealfast woman. She flinched as he laid a hand to her shoulder, but did not resist while he ran his hand down her arm and lifted her injured hand, unwrapping the bandage the shepherd had placed about its wound.

The arrow had gone through the back of her hand, emerging from her palm. When she and Axis had rolled from the horse, the arrow had ripped its way free, completely tearing through the section of her hand from central palm to thumb. It was a bad injury under any circumstances, worse when it had spread poison through Inardle’s system.

The edges of the wound looked inflamed, even green in places, and oozed a vile black muck.

Isaiah put it down, then looked at the other wounds on her wings and shoulders. They were not as bad in terms of initial injury, but they, too, were inflamed and oozed the same muck. Isaiah could feel the heat pumping out from them and realised Inardle must be in considerable pain.

“I am sorry, Inardle,” Isaiah said, now placing both hands on her shoulders as he squatted behind her. “I wish I could do something for you, but —”

Isaiah broke off abruptly, frowning. His hands tightened on Inardle’s shoulders, the fingers digging into her flesh. She cried out softly, and Axis looked concerned.

“What are you doing, Isaiah?” he said.

“Wait,” Isaiah said, his hands moving over Inardle. “Inardle, I am sorry, but this will hurt a little. Just bear with me.” One of Isaiah’s hands now rested at the nape of Inardle’s neck, the other on her chest, just above her breasts.

They were pressed against and into her flesh.

Inardle cried out, louder this time, trying to free herself from Isaiah’s grip.

Isaiah sat back, lifting his hands, and Inardle gave a single sob, choking back tears.

“Isaiah?” Axis said.

Isaiah was staring at Inardle. Then he blinked. “Axis, may I examine you for a moment? This is an intrusion, for I am likely to cause you as much discomfort as I just caused Inardle . . . it is important, more than you can know. Please.”

Axis looked at him, then gave a single nod.

Isaiah moved about the fire and placed his hands on Axis as he had on Inardle. They rested on nape and chest lightly, then Isaiah pressed hard against Axis’ flesh.

Axis had to restrain himself from crying out, too. It was the most uncomfortable experience, part pain, part fear . . . the sense of someone else within his body, probing, probing, probing.

Just when Axis thought he could bear it no more, Isaiah sat back, lifting his hands.

“Amazing,” he murmured.

“ What is amazing?” Axis ground out through clenched teeth. He had had to endure Inardle almost freezing off his arm; now Isaiah was biting his power deep into Axis’ body. Axis felt he’d had enough for this current month.

“Inardle’s Skraeling blood,” Isaiah said, moving again to sit behind her. She cringed as she felt his hands on her once more. “I just felt something deep within her. It was either her Icarii blood, or her Skraeling blood. I had to examine you to see if you had it in you, but no. It must be her Skraeling blood.”

“ What?” Axis said.

“Water,” Isaiah murmured. “She has a great affinity with water within her, bequeathed by her Skraeling blood. Inardle, I can help you, after all, but what I will do in drawing the poison from your body is going to pain you like nothing you have ever felt before. I am so sorry for this, but I know of no other way to manage it. But it does mean